Truman Area Transportation Service has been serving Lamar and the citizens of Barton County since September 13, 1994. T.A.T.S. transported its first passenger to and from a doctor’s appointment. That was the only rider of the day. Things have changed drastically since 1994. T.A.T.S. now averages 100 one way trips per day. This is about one rider every 6.5 minutes. The most riders per day still stand at 165 on March 1, 2006.

In September of 2009 a small celebration was held to commemorate the 15th anniversary. Several retired TATS drivers were in attendance to reminisce about their experiences and people they had met along the way. One remembrance of earlier days is; When operation began there was a delay in the delivery of the handicapped accessible van and start dates had already been set. The Police Department had a retired police car, a 1988 Chevy Caprice, that was due to be sold. Instead of selling the cruiser, T.A.T.S. put the car to good use from 1994 to 1997. Shortly after starting, the van arrived and T.A.T.S. could then begin carrying wheelchair bound riders.

In 2009 T.A.T.S. provided 25,483 rides to all types of places. In 2010, 24,191 rides. The largest number of rides is for shopping for personal needs. The next is for employment, followed by nutrition, medical, social and educational purposes. The 2010 total is slightly down from 2009. Changes in transportation rules may have contributed to the decrease, rules instated to prevent abuse of the service by excessive riding of some passengers. The economic climate of the county and population changes are also causes for change. Additionally the Barton County Memorial Hospital received a grant for transportation for medical need, which took some of the load off T.A.T.S.

While T.A.T.S. serves a wide range of riders, the focus clientele are senior citizens and the disabled. Handicapped citizens of Lamar make up 55%, and seniors 31% of those using the service for getting about. Due to deficits in funding and rising operational expenses, the difficult decision was made to begin charging fifty cents per one way trip for handicapped riders. In the past Lamar Schools ustilized T.A.T.S. for children with special transportation needs. T.A.T.S. is flexible enough to have that type arrangement with any agency with the need. For example, T.A.T.S. provides service to some employees of Lamar Enterprises, (the Sheltered Workshop) for transportation to and from work. T.A.T.S. also coordinates with all of the residential care facilities in town to transport their residents. The general public is also welcome to use T.A.T.S. for their means of transportation for a very reasonable fee of $2.00 per one-way trip. 15% of riders are considered 'regular fare.' “We Transport Everyone.”

Rates:
Senior Citizen over 60, or those needing mobility devices ride on a donation basis.
Rides for the Handicapped are $.50 per one way trip
Regular Fare rides are $2.00.

A coupon program has been a big success with repeat riders. They can buy a card for $5.00 and get 10 rides. Anyone may buy a coupon card for someone on their gift list or to make it easier to pay..

Funding for this Community Betterment project continues to come from Federal and State Grants with local matching contribution from a variety of individuals and organizations. Though it operates as a non-profit, T.A.T.S. has participated in several local events to raise funds to help reduce the loss. T.A.T.S. employees sell peanuts during the fair and hold other fund raisers during the year, such cooking on the sqaure for Fourth Thursday music at the bandstand. The Barton County Chamber of Commerce invited T.A.T.S. this past summer to cook burgers and brats for lunch in front of the Chamber office on the square. They raised an incredible $1100.00 in just a few hours. Community support is always outstanding at times such as this. The City of Lamar supports T.A.T.S. as well by providiong space to house and administer the project, with Ronald Hager as Director of Service. Ginnie Keatts is the coordinator of daily operations.

Truman Area Transportation Hours are: Mon - Fri 6:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Dial 417-682-5542 to schedule a ride. Phones are answered starting at 6:30 AM The area served by T.A.T.S is a 3 mile radius of the city of Lamar. Medical trips for the elderly and disabled with no other means of transportation are provided county wide, but 24 hours notice is required to arrange such a trip. Calling in advance allowing plenty of response time is recommended for every trip.